Push plate mounting for earth movers



Aug. 26, 1947-. E. w. AUSTIN PUSH PLATE MOUNTING FOR EARTH MOVERS 2 Sheets-Shet 1 Original Filed Feb. 16, 1942 INVENTOR [7/5 war/h 14/ Hus/[I7 patented Aug. 26, 1 94? PUSH PLATE MOUNTING FOR- EARTH MOVERS Ellsworth W. Austin, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, assignor to- La Plant-Choate Manufacturing Company, Incorporated, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a corporation of Delaware Original, application February 16,1942, Serial No. 431,033. Divided and this applicationMay 2-3', 1944,. Serial No. 537,001

5 Claims.

My invention relates to means of moving earth and similar material and is especially concerned with an earth mover of the bulldozer or trailbuilder type which ordinarily comprises a push plate mounted at the front of a tractor and designed to be angled or disposed at an inclination to the direction of the advance of the tractor.

It is an object of my invention in general to improve earth movers of the bulldozer or trailbuilder type.

Another object of my invention is; to provide an earth mover of the bulldozer type which is readily adapted to mounting on a standard tractor and for operation by means of cables.

Another object of my invention is to provide in a trailbuilder structure, a mounting for the blade which automatically inclines the blade bymovement in a vertical plane whenever the blade is angled by movement in a horizontal plane.

It is a further object of my invention to provide means for adjusting the relative amount of such inclination. I

The foregoing andother objects of the inven- I tion are attained in the embodiment illustrated in the drawings in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an earth mover constructed in accordance with my invention and shown as a trailbuilder mounted on a standard tractor.

Fig. 2 is a plan of the mechanism disclosed in Fig. l, a portion of the tractor hood being broken away to disclose the interior arrangement.

Fig. 3 is a detailed cross-section, the plane of which is indicated by the line 33 of Fig. showing the pivot pin inclining means.

Fig. {l is a detailed cross-section, similar to Fig. 3, and showing a modified form of pivot pin inclining means.

Although the invention hereinafter claimed resides more particularly in the pusher plate or blade mounting, a somewhat detailed description of an earth mover embodying a mounting of this type seems desirable in order properly to orient the invention.

In its preferred form, my invention is embodied as a trailbuilder or bulldozer for use with a standard tractor provided with a main frame on which there is an engine compartment and provided at its rear with a cable winch. Included in the tractor are track frames spaced from the main frame and themselves including track mechanismand track beams. Located over portions of the track frames are running boards. Trunnions are mounted in the spaces between the track frames and main frame and are supported by arched, brackets secured to the outside of the adjacent track beam and are reinforced by straps also secured to the track beam. On the trunnions a push frame is journalled with at least one member of the push frame having variable pivotal arrangement with the remaining portion. At the front of the push frame a pivot pin is mounted for variable inclination and a push bladeis, mounted to pivot on the pin, bein held in selected position. by folding push beams held. in selected location by pins which can be variably positioned therein and in suitable apertures in the push frame. An operating cable is strung from the Winch around a cable wheel which is movable into a suitable supporting position or into another position out of the way and the cable is extended through a tube secured to the running board and then passes around suitably aligned sheaves mounted on a bracket disposed at one side of the engine compartment on the. main frame. The operating cable then extends through the engine compartment and around comparable sheaves on a bracket secured on the other side of the main-frame and aligned with sheaves on the push frame so that when the cable is operated the trailbuilder'is raised and lowered- While my invention is susceptible to a wide amount of variation. depending upon operating conditions to be met and the particular mechanism upon which it is to be mounted, it has 5110- cessfully been embodied in the form shown here in and in connection with a standard tractor generaIlY designated .6. This tractor includes the customary operators station 1, disposed behind an engine compartment 8, both located on the central main frame 9 of the machine. On either side of the machine are running boards I l, which are fastened on the main frame and extend over the. respective track frames l2 and I3 located on opposite sides of the main frame and disposed to leave an intermediate space [4 therebetween. Included in each of the track frames is a track mechanism generally designated [6 as well as an outer track beam l1 extending from the rear sprocket wheel 18 to a connection with the forward idler wheel W. A transverse spring 26 or equalizer bar relates the forward portions of the track frames l2 and l3 with the main frame 5.

In accordance with my invention I provide a suitable mounting for an earth moving implement and this comprises a push frame 2| which is preferably symmetrical on both sides of the longitudinal center line although there can be some variation in the construction on opposite sides. The push frame is preferably mounted on the track frames l2 and I3 and for that reason I dispose in each of the spaces l4 a trunnion 22. Since the opposite sides of the machine are preferably alike, a description of one applies to both. The trunnion 22 is mounted preferably on a shaft 23 which extends from a bracket 24 arched over the track mechanism I6 and being provided with fastening means 26 securing the arched bracket to the track beam l1 on the outer side thereof or on the side of the track beam away from the intermediate space M. Reinforcing ribs 21 increase the strength of the arch bracket. As a further means of securing the trunnion at 22 in position, a strap 28 is secured thereto and extends to fastening means 29 securing the forward end of the strap to the inside of the track beam H. In this fashion a rigidly fixed trunnion 22 is afforded within the space M.

The push frame 2| is adapted to be secured to the trunnions 22 and can either be the con, ventional, box construction U-type or can include adjusting mechanism to compensate for variations in environment and operating conditions. For example, the grousers on the tracks l2 and I3 sometimes are slat street plates and at other times are elevated ice engaging cleats so that the height of trunnions 22 from the ground surface or ice surface varies from time to time. Also it is sometimes desired to mount the push frame 2| with a permanent horizontal incline with the respect to the main frame 9 of the tractor and I consequently provide for all of these conditions. The compensating means can be included in only one of the legs of the push frame 2| or can be included in both legs. A description of one of the mechanisms applies to both, if two are utilized.

The push frame 2| is detachably connected to the trunnion 22 by the provision of a bifurcated end 3| on a push frame member generally designated 32 and included with a forward push frame member 33 in the push frame. The bifurcated end 3| fits snugly around the trunnion 22 which preferably is square and is removably positioned thereon by an L-shaped keeper 34 passing through suitable apertures in the bifurcated end 3| and retained in position by a cotter pin. The entire push frame can be removed by withdrawing the cotter pin and the keeper 34. Adjacent the forward end, the push frame member 32 is provided with part of a pivot connection 37 interengaging with a mating portion of a pivot connection 38 at the rearward part of the push frame member 33. A pivot pin 39 secures these members together for pivotal movement in a vertical plane.

The relative pivotal movement between the pivoted parts of the push frame is regulated or controlled by an adjusting screw 4| (provided with a lock nut 42) which engages an ear 43 upstanding from the push frame member 33 and likewise engages another ear 44 similarly upstanding from the push frame member 32. With this mechanism one part of the push frame can be raised or lowered with respect to the other and the height of the push frame can be regulated with respect to the ground. If both sides of the push frame incorporate such adjusting mechanisms, the range of adjustment is increased.

At the forward end, the push frame 2| is designed to mount a push blade which is of any convenient construction and is usually of box form made up of structural plates and shape. The center portion of the blade structure 5| is provided with a pivot bracket 52, through which a normally vertical pivot pin 53 is passed. This pin likewise is engaged by a bracket 55 mounted on the push frame 2|. It is the usual practice in such mechanisms to arrange that the axis 55 of the pivot pin 53 is in a vertical position whenever the general plane of the push frame 2|, indicated by the line 571, is in a horizontal position. That is, normally the axis 55 is perpendicular to the general plane 5?. Whenever the blade 5| is pivoted or rotated about the axis of the pin 53 it will move only in the plane 57.

In accordance with my invention, I provide means for permitting the blade structure 5| to rotate in planes other than horizontal even though the general plane 51 of the push frame 2| is horizontal. For this reason the bracket 54 instead of being rigidly fixed to the push frame 2| is provided with a knuckle 58 journalled on a pivot pin 59 secured in a bracket 6| fastened to the push frame 2! so that the entire bracket 54 may then rock about a transverse horizontal axis concentric with the pin 59. In order to-regulate the position of the bracket 55 I provide a threaded mounting 62 in the push frame 2| and through it thread an adjusting bolt 63 which at its forward end abuts a boss 54 on the bracket 54. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4 the forward end of the adjusting bolt 63 is-socketed in the bracket 54 and the threaded mounting 62 is a conventional swivel type mounting for accommodating the bolt to the arcuate movement of the socket about the pin 55 as the bolt 63 is advanced and retracted. If the adjusting screw 63 simply abuts the boss 54 then when the tractor is reversed any obstructions on the ground will cause the entire push blade mechanism- 5 l to rise over them. Forward movement of the tractor causes the blade 51 to be rigidly held in the position. against the adjusting screw 63. If, however, there is a socketed connection between the screw 53 and the boss 56,

L then the blade 5| is held rigidly in position for either'direction of motion of the tractor.

With this arrangement, when the adjusting screw 63 is backed off" from the position shown in Fig. 9 the weight of the mechanism (or the actualdraft of the screw if the socket connection is utilized) is sufiicient to incline or tip the axis 55 of the pin 53 so that it occupies any one of the number of inclined positions represented by the inclined axis 65 which is tipped forwardly at its top with respect to the horizontal plane 57. When the axis of the pin 53xis so inclined, then rotation of the blade 5| about the pin causes not only an angling of the blade when considered from a horizontal plane, but likewise causes the end of the blade to lower or raise in a vertical direction. This is particularly valuable when angling'the blade for road surfacing or the like in thatit automatically drops the leading endgof the blade. In the event it is desired to drop the trailing edge of the blade the axis of the pin 53 is inclined rearwardly at its top, rather than forwardly.

In order to hold the blade structure5| in either its straight across (or bulldozing) position or in either of its angled (or trailbuilding) positions, push beams are utilized. These are connected with sufli'cient looseness to the blade structure 5| sothat the vertical motion of the blade when it is being angled in accordance with en ages the inclination of the pin 53 does not disturb the connections unduly.

Adjacent each end, the blade structure is provided with a plurality of pierced lugs 61 which are designed to receive a removable fastening pin 68. Also adapted to engage the fastening pin and occupy selected ones of the positions between the lugs 61 are pierced lugs 69 at the forward extremities of a push beam TI. The front push beam member is preferably a channel or hollow box which, adjacent one end is connected by a permanently positioned pivot pin 22 with a similar channel-like rear push member 13. The structures of the push beam membersll and F3 are such that the rear one will be received within a portion of the front during folding or articulated movement about the axis I4 of the permanent pin I2. A removable pin I5 is designed to pass through aligned apertures I6 in the trailing end of the push member II and likewise in the forward portion of the rear push member I3. When the pin I6 is in such position the members II and I3 are in alignment and are rigid, constituting then in a sense a strut although they are equally capable of resisting tension. The rearward end of the push member I3 is provided with apertured bosses II designed to receive a removable pin I3 having several functions. In the straight across, or bulldozing position of the blade 5I, as shown in full lines in Fig. 2, the two pins It on opposite sides of the machine are both engaged in the rearmost one I9, of several apertures which are provided in parallel flanges 8| and 82 outstanding from the side walls of the push frame 2i. With the parts arranged as shown in full lines in Figs. 1 and 2, the machine constitutes a rigid bulldozer.

In order to change the blade into an angling or trailbuilder position, both the pins I5 and it are withdrawn from their respective locations so that the push beams II and I3 are entirely free except for their relative pivotal connection lustration a cable mechanism has been shown.- This mechanism is substantially the same on the Opposite sides of the tractor. At each side of the forward portion of the engine compartment 8, is preferably provided one of a pair of brackets IGI and I02 which, at its lower end is secured by fastenings I03 to the main frame 9. The brackets are fabricated of structural plates and serve as guides for thrust rollers I04 mounted in suitable forks I06 upstanding from the side portions of the push frame 2I. On the brackets are stops I05 to limit the maximum upper movement of the push frame. The brackets are held in position on the frame by braces I01 preferably of a threaded adjustable character having clevises I08 and I03, the former of which is secured by a pin to a bracket III on the main frame 9 and the latter of which is secured by a pin to an extension II2 on the plate I III or I02. In addition, the brackets I 0| and I 02 are crossbraced by a channel structure II3 which extends through the engine compartment 8 and on its opposite ends is connected by removable fastenings H4 to the brackets IOI and I02.

On either side of the main frame, the push frame 2i is provided with a pair of ears I IB which are connected by pins II! to sheave blocks H8 and I I9. Each block can contain a single sheave wheel I2! or a plurality thereof depending upon the desired reeving. In alignment with each of the sheave blocks H8 and H9 are stationary sheave blocks I22 and I 23 located on the brackets and except for their pivoted connection by the pins 53. This being so, the first operation is to replace the pins I8 not in the rearmost apertures I9 in the parallel flanges BI and 82, but rather in the foremost apertures 83 in the flanges 8i and 82. The same maneuver is performed on the opposite side of the machine. Then the push members II and 53 are folded with respect to each other about the axis of the permanent pin 72 until the aperture I6 in the member I3 substantially coincides with an intermediate aperture 84 in the flanges 8| and 82. To accommodate this position of the parts the push frame 2I is provided with a pair of pockets 85 and 87 to receive the ends of the forward push member II. The pin it is then introduced into the aligned apertures 84 and I6 so that a rigid connection is so provided on one side of the machine. On the otherside the members II and F3 are kept in their same. alignment by the pin IS. The pushbeam is moved as a unit until the apertured bosses Tl and i9 align with the forward aperture 83 and the pin I8 is placed therein thereby affording a rigid mounting. With this arrangement the push beams on opposite sides of the machine are both rigidly pinned in position to hold the blade 5| in its angled location.

Although the push frame 21 can be lowered and raised in any well known manner and the specific mechanism for accomplishing this movement is immaterial, in so far as the invention being claimed is concerned, for purposes of il- I0! and I82 respectively. These sheave blocks are disposed so that the intervening cables are substantially tangent to the pivot center of the push frame so that, approximately, a constant moment arm is available for the effective cable force. during the entire travel of the push frame, thus minimizing the bearing loads and stresses in general. Disposed substantially tangent and at right angles to the sheave blocks I22 and I23 are transfer sheaves I24 and I23, respectively, fastened on the brackets IBI and I02 and extending partially into the engine compartment 8. On the bracket I @I and substantially tangent with the sheave block I22 and approximately tangent to the running board I I is a guide sheave Located on the main frame of the tractor at the rear of the operators station I and designed to be driven by the tractor engine is a power control unit or winch I-JI of a standard type. This is shown as a two drum winch having a pair of fairlead sheaves I32 and I33 thereon since such is the customary installation. But one of the drums and fairlead sheaves is utilized, however, in connection with the present mechanism. An operating cable I3 3 extends from the winch drum led and over the fairlead I32 to a cable wheel I3I. This cable wheel is connected to the tractor by a pivot 38 on the winch housing and normally is heldin the illustrated full line position by a movable pin I355. This installation of the cable wheel I3! can be considered permanent so far as the bulldozer and trailbuilder mechanism is concerned but occasionally the same tractor is utilized for pulling a trailing vehicle without operation of the bulldozer. In that event the cable I34 is removed from any other connection, the pin I39 is withdrawn and the cable wheel I3! is swung about the axis of the pin I38 to occupy the dotted line position I 4| shown in Fig. 2 so as to be entirely out of the way of a cable extending through the fairleads I32 and I33 to a trailing structure.

In the present arrangement of the structure with the cable wheel I31 securely pinned in place, the operating cable I34 extends around the cable wheel tangentially forward to the guide sheave I21, in the meantime passing through and being guided by a tube Hi2 which is preferably a pipe with flared ends secured by clamps I43 to the running board II of the tractor. In this way the operators safety is in no wise endangered by the proximity of the operating cable I34 and his vision is not obstructed by any elevated cable mechanism. Emerging from the tube I42 the operating cable I34 is trained around the guide sheave I21 and then passes around the sheave block I22. One or several passes are made between such sheave block and the sheave block I I8 and then the cable passes from the sheave block H8 around the transfer sheave I24 and through the engine compartment 8. The cable passes in very close proximity to the channel H3 and a plurality of loops M6 are provided on the channel to confine the cable somewhat and prevent it, especially when slack, from interfering with any of the surrounding engine mechanism. Having passed through the loops I56 the cable i534 then passes around the second transfer sheave I25 and engages the sheave block I23 on the bracket I02. Then the cable is reeved around the opposite sheave block H9 on the push frame and having made the requisite number of passes between such sheave block and the sheave block I23, is suitably dead ended.

From the above description, it will be observed that I have provided a bulldozer or trailbuilder having a push plate or blade mounted on a central pivot, the inclination of which can be adjusted at will. If then the push plate is rotated in either direction about this inclined pivot, the lower edge of the push plate or bulldozer blade will be inclined with respect to the horizontal as required when crowning a road-bed, the angle of the pivot determining the amount of inclination. When the push plate is locked at right angles with the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, its lower edge will, of course, be horizontal regardless of the inclination of the pivot.

This application is a division from my cpending application Serial No. 431,033, filed February 16, 1942, for an Earth mover and since abandoned.

I claim:

1. In an earth mover comprising: a tractor main frame and tractor side frames; a pusher frame provided with pusher arms and with a transverse member extending across said main frame, said pusher arms being pivoted to said side frames; a bracket pivoted to the central por: tion of said transverse member on a horizontal axis; a push plate pivoted to said bracket on an axis lying in a plane at right angle to said horizontal axis; means for holding said bracket in any preselected position with respect to said horizontal axis; and means for lowering and raising the forward end of said push frame.

2. An earth mover for attachment to a tractor comprising a planar push frame including a front cross member, means for articulating said push frame on said tractor for swinging about a transverse axis, a blade disposed in front of said push frame, a pin connecting said blade and said front cross member of said push frame, said pin being normally disposed with its axis perpendicular to the plane of said push frame, and means mounted on said cross member for variably inclining the axis of said pin with respect to the plane of said push frame and to a transverse plane perpendicular to said push frame.

3. An earth mover for attachment to a trac-' tor comprising a planar push frame, means for articulating said push frame on said tractor for swinging about a transverse axis, a transverse cross-member included in said push frame, a push plate disposed in front of said cross-member, a bracket pivoted to said push plate on an axis perpendicular to the plane of said push frame and to said cross-member on a transverse axis, and means disposed between said crossmember and said bracket for variably inclining said bracket about said transverse axis.

4. An earth mover for attachment to a tractor comprising a planar push frame, means for articulating said push frame on said tractor, a transverse cross-member included in said push frame, a bracket, a transverse pivot connecting said bracket to the central portion of said crossmember, means engaging said cross-member and said bracket for swinging said bracket on said pivot, a push plate, and a pivot perpendicular to said transverse pivot and approximately perpendicular to the plane of said push frame for connecting said bracket to the central portion of said push plate.

5. An earth mover for attachment to a tractor comprising a planar push frame including a front cross member, means for articulating said push frame on said tractor for swinging about a first axis extending transversely of said tractor, a bracket connected to said front cross member of said push frame at substantially the mid-point thereof to turn about a second axis parallel to said first axis, an earth blade, and means con- I necting said earth blade to said bracket to turn about a third axis inclined to the plane of said push frame and also inclined to a transverse plane perpendicular to the plane of said frame.

ELLSWORTH W. AUSTIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent: 4

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,530,100 Arndt Mar. 17, 1925 2,059,431 Barrett et a1. Nov. 3, 1936 2,163,662 Buffington June 27, 1939 2,173,158 Corbett Sept. 19, 1939 2,264,368 Gettelman Dec. 2, 1941 2,311,553 LeTourneau Feb. 16, 1943 

